Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1526959
NIU's New XQi3 Dirt/Dual Sport Electric Bikes Available L aunched in June, NIU's XQi3 dirt/dual-sport electric bikes are now available at one of the brand's newest dealers, NIU Mo - bility San Diego. This continues the company's dealer network expansion in the West and prom - ises to introduce more people to what could technically be consid- ered an electric-powered dual sport bike, as it's street legal. In its current form, its specs are impressive: 8000 watts peak power, a 72-volt/32-amp-hour battery, 47 mph top speed (in - cluding a boost mode), app con- nectivity and more, for $4999. Having brought in a U.S.-based development team that aims to implement changes to better suit it to the American market, look for updates soon. Mark Kariya Unlike many other e-bikes on the market, the NIU XQi3 is street legal, as well as capable of moderate trail- riding duties. WIND IN THE P64 Michelin Pushes Back New Front to 2026 M ichelin will not introduce its new MotoGP front tire until 2026, a year behind its original intention, the French company confirmed on Friday. There is a widespread acknowledgment that the current front profile needs to be revised to handle the greater forces being placed on it in MotoGP's new aerody - namic age. The French firm has been working on a new front to com- bat sensitivity to temperature changes, especially when riders find themselves running behind other machines. The entire MotoGP field tested it during the one-day test after the San Ma - rino GP, with mixed responses. "Some riders like a lot, some less," said Piero Taram - asso, Michelin's two-wheel manager. "After spending all week analyzing the telemetry from the data, we decided to push back the introduction of the new front one season because we need the time to make a few changes, test again and then fix the model. This tire is almost 1kg lighter, it's new material, when you brake you squash more the tire, you get a bigger contact patch, the grip is better. So it's quite different." Marc Marquez welcomed the decision. "You cannot take the decision from something super important that is the front tire with only one test, in one race - track, in one condition." Neil Morrison The new front tire that Pecco Bagnaia loved will be delayed one more year.